Rear shock install_problems

@DAndy ART What did you ever do? I am currently struggling with mine. The Upper shock stem is 11/16. The rubber bushing in the Hotchkis schlock measures 11/16 on the outsides but it tapers to about 5/8 in the center. It progressively gets tighter toward the center of the hole.
I tried the supplied grease only to wipe everything down, sand the stem a smoother, applied a different lubricant, and tried without success again.
Would I need to turn these upper shock stems down or get smaller ones? Try to find a different bushing that’s 11/16” straight through?
Any tips on a secret method?